David Artell believes that the summer signing of Shaun MacDonald will help inside the Alex dressing room. In the wake of Omar Beckles, Ryan Wintle, Eddie Nolan, Daniel Powell and Olly Lancashire all departing the club this summer, the Alex boss wanted to add some more senior experience to his squad and moved quickly to secure the services of the former Wales International from Rotherham.

The 33-year-old will certainly help the likes of Chris Porter, Luke Murphy, Donervon Daniels and Mika Mandron influence the younger ones in the group. MacDonald has already stated that one of his roles at the club will be to lead by example and help the younger players as much as he can both on and off the pitch.

Artell said of his most senior signing to date: “Although a lot of our younger players have played a lot of games, we are still a relatively young group and managing to get someone of Shaun’s experience here will only help with that.

“He will help the younger ones with the way he is around the place and in the dressing room. I am sure his professionalism and advice when it’s needed will rub off on a few of them.

“They cannot fail to learn off someone who has played in the Premier League and Championship and played International football.

He added: “The lads here develop in a learning environment and Shaun will play his part in that. He has great experienced over most of the leagues and he knows what it takes to be successful and to keep pushing himself and the team.”